2008/02/16 by V. Fuest, Veronika Fuest · 2 citations
Social Sciences · #Gender, Security, and Conflict #Global Political and Social Dynamics #Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
paper · doi:10.1093/afraf/adn003
openalex publication_date 2008/02/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Most research on women in war focuses on female losses. This article demonstrates that wars may also bring gains. The scope of political and economic roles that Liberian women perform today appears to be larger than before the war. Both individually and collectively certain women have gainfully used openings the war provided them. The article discusses the historicity of Liberian gender roles examining the social subgroups of politicians businesswomen womens organizations employees and school girls. Changes have also been fostered by the international peace-building and development business. Although the realization of female ambitions seems to be constrained by various institutional and economic factors Liberia may harbour a unique potential for sustainable shifts in gender roles. (authors)